On Saturday 17th August, 5 brave rangatahi spent the day at Adrenalin Forest in Porirua with Kaiwhakamana Jordyn and Beth from Whanganui-A-Tara! The rangatahi, who all live with their grandparents, met one another for the first time on Saturday morning – not that you could tell by the end of the day! The purpose of the event was to offer rangatahi living with their grandparents the opportunity to connect with others in the same situation, and also welcome these rangatahi into the VOYCE whānau. 

The day started with introductions, VOYCE welcome packs and t-shirts before the all important safety briefing. After the safety briefing there was no stopping the rangatahi (or Jordyn!) from tackling the trails. Everyone was incredibly brave and the rangatahi offered each other so much awhi as they made their way around the course which got more and more challenging as you went along! For over 3 hours there was lots of navigating different obstacles, ‘look at meee!’ and only a couple of rescues along the way.  

When all the rangatahi were safely down from the trees, they all shared how much fun they had had. Each rangatahi shared something different as being the best bit about the day. Some of their highlights including ‘pushing myself’ and ‘meeting other rangatahi living with their grandparents’. All the rangatahi shared how they’d love to come to VOYCE Whangauni-A-Tara’s next tūhono event, and VOYCE can’t wait to put this event on again either.